Duke University School of Nursing preceptors play a pivotal role in shaping the future of nursing. By mentoring nurse practitioner students, they give back to the profession by preparing the next generation of nurses for real-world challenges.
Over the course of a semester as a nursing preceptor, you can share your expertise and talents to provide invaluable, hands-on learning opportunities within your practice. Just as others guided you during your training, you’ll have the chance to mentor some of the best and brightest nursing students, eager to learn from engaged, compassionate healthcare professionals.
We rely on preceptors for nursing students to help them develop critical skills such as obtaining subjective and objective data, completing physical exams, and formulating diagnoses. With Duke’s Master of Science in Nursing programs offered online or through distance-based learning, preceptors are needed worldwide in diverse clinical settings.
Discover how you can Pay it Forward to Pay it Back as a Duke University School of Nursing preceptor.
What is a Preceptor?
Preceptors are experienced practitioners who educate and mentor nursing students during their clinical training. Acting as both a teacher and a role model, nurse preceptors provide students with hands-on experience, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice. By fostering essential clinical, critical thinking, and communication skills, preceptors prepare nursing students to deliver exceptional patient care.
Benefits of Being a Duke Nursing Preceptor
As a Duke University School of Nursing preceptor, you’ll enjoy numerous benefits, including:
- Faculty recognition: Preceptors in our nurse mentorship program are eligible for nomination as an adjunct, clinical, or consulting faculty member at Duke University School of Nursing.
- Access to resources: School of Nursing preceptors have access to tools such as UpToDate, Teaching Physician, and Duke University Libraries.
- Continuing education: Receive verification of preceptor hours for ANCC, PNCB, and NCC recertification. Many certification agencies also offer continuing education credits for precepting.
- Professional development: As a preceptor for nursing students, you’ll gain access to free events, seminars, and training — some offering CNE and ANCC credit.
- Networking opportunities: Engage with Duke’s talented pool of nursing students, many of whom become future colleagues.
- Discounts: Enjoy AANP group membership discounts. To register as a Master of Science in Nursing preceptor or for more information, contact us at (919) 684-4002 or via email.
Communities of Practice
Duke University has developed a groundbreaking initiative to support and connect nurse preceptors: the Communities of Practice (COP). Funded by an HRSA grant, this online portal serves as a resource hub for preceptors, providing tools for professional development, collaboration, and academic support. The CoP offers:
- A user-friendly platform for sharing best practices
- 24/7 access to clinical and academic resources
- A support network for preceptor development
By joining the Communities of Practice, you’ll not only enhance your skills as a nursing mentor but also become part of a dynamic, collaborative community dedicated to excellence in nursing education.
Find a Preceptor
Are you a Duke University School of Nursing student looking for a preceptor? Our dedicated clinical placement coordinators support students by matching them with nurse preceptors at affiliated healthcare facilities.
Through our expansive network of partners, the School of Nursing facilitates clinical placements that offer students invaluable hands-on learning opportunities. These partnerships also allow students to make a meaningful impact within communities locally and around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Precepting requirements vary by course but typically range from one to four days per week, totaling 50-400 hours per semester. As a preceptor for nursing students, your mentorship helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and clinical practice.
As a nursing preceptor, a copy of your practice’s certificate of insurance (COI) is needed prior to preceptor assignment. The School of Nursing provides appropriate malpractice insurance for each student placed by Duke.
All Duke nursing students undergo comprehensive background checks, drug screenings, and immunization verifications to ensure they meet clinical placement requirements. This rigorous screening process prepares nursing student mentors and preceptors to work confidently with our students.
Contact information for nurse practitioner faculty will be provided at the time of the preceptor assignment.
At the start of their clinical experience, students share standard course objectives and individualized learning goals with the preceptor. These objectives guide preceptors in mentoring nursing students effectively.
Yes, preceptors complete a student performance evaluation form. This feedback is an essential component of the student’s overall grade and helps maintain the quality of Duke’s nursing preceptorship program.
About Us
At Duke University School of Nursing, our mission is simple: “to create a center of excellence for the advancement of nursing science, the promotion of clinical scholarship, and the education of clinical leaders, advanced practitioners, and researchers.”
Nationally ranked among graduate nursing schools, Duke University School of Nursing offers a wide variety of MSN degree paths. Our MSN programs prepare the next generation of transformational leaders in nursing and healthcare to excel in research, education, clinical practice, and administration.